Belfast - sure to be sure

We are really liking all these new ports and the United Kingdom is definitely well-represented on this world cruise...

Heading down the Channel towards our Dock

Once on land, our tour whisked us out into the countryside to visit one of Belfast's greatest highlights “The Giants Causeway”.  Here is where myth meets science, and it is up to you to decide which you prefer to believe.

The following information is from the Giants Causeway Tour Website

The Myth

As legend has it, Northern Ireland was once home to a giant named Finn McCool (also called Fionn Mac Cumhaill). When another giant – Benandonner, across the Irish Sea in Scotland – threatened Ireland, Finn retaliated by tearing up great chunks of the Antrim coastline and hurling them into the sea. The newly-created path – the Giant’s Causeway – paved a route over the sea for Finn to reach Benandonner.

However, this turns out to be a bad idea as Benandonner is a massive giant, much bigger than Finn! In order to save himself, Finn retreats to Ireland and is disguised as a baby by his quick-thinking wife. When Benandonner arrives, he sees Finn disguised as a baby and realizes that if a mere baby is that big, the father must be far larger than Benandonner himself!

Following this realization, Benandonner rushes back to Scotland, tearing away as much of the Causeway as he can in his haste to put as much distance between Ireland and himself as possible. And thus, the myth of the Giant’s Causeway was born.

The Scientific Explanation

Perhaps a less interesting explanation, the scientific approach dictates that the Giant’s Causeway was first formed over 60 million years ago. The science says that the Causeway was created following a period of volcanic activity, where the lava cooled and formed these incredible interlocking basalt columns. Each column is near-perfectly hexagonal in shape; a lasting reminder of the power of the world’s natural beauty.

No matter which you choose, it does not take away from the beauty of this phenomenon.  A very popular tourist attraction with so many visiting scampering over the rocks.  But watch your step as you need to plan your route so you don’t run out of stepping stones.

Entrance to the Giants Causeway

amazing formations

I climbed up high .... bit of a challenge working out how to get back down

Driving around the coast we had amazing views of the coastline, with another quick stop in the picturesque Ballintoy Harbour.  Of course, its biggest claim to fame was that it was yet another famous filming location for Game of Thrones…. Actually, our driver was the private driver to none other than Jon Snow when he was in town for filming… Yes, we saw the pictures. 

Ballingtoy Harbour

Morning Tea

Our next stop was the Carrick a Rede rope bridge, which links the mainland to the island of Carraig-a-Rade, which means “The Rock in the Road” an obstacle for the migrating salmon as they searched for the river where they were born.

The history of the rope bridge dates back to 1755 when it was first erected by the salmon fishermen... Since then it has taken many forms…  today it is a much sturdier but still swaying bridge that you can cross.

We stopped a the Carrick-A-Rede Bar in Ballintoy for a typical Irish lunch.  Remembering yesterdays large meal, we decided to share… big mistakes because those pork and leek sausages were yummy and the traditional Irish Champ (mashed potato) was to die for….

We stopped for some magnificent views of the remains of Dunluce Castle, perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean.

 And a quick stop was made at the Bushmans Distillery where the boys enjoyed a small tasting of whiskey.

Maybe we had one too many quick stops or maybe there was just too much to see, as it resulted in us having a quick drive-by of the highlights of Belfast.  Thwarted by drizzling rain and the lack of visibility out of the windows, it was not even worth getting the camera out to try and take any type of photo.  Oh well, I guess it justifies another visit in the future….